Champion Amelie Mauresmo shone amid the rain clouds on Wimbledon's Centre Court with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Italian Mara Santangelo in the third round on Saturday.
Serving first, after the match was delayed by almost two hours, Mauresmo set up break point against Santangelo with a lovely backhand crosscourt shot and the Italian went 2-0 down when she fluffed a forehand.
A double fault from Santangelo and then a wide forehand gave Mauresmo another easy break for a 5-1 lead and the fourth seed sealed the set with an ace.
Mauresmo, with her right thigh strapped, appeared to be unstoppable and she broke Santangelo in the opening game of the second set but a couple of errors from the Frenchwoman, including a double fault, allowed the world number 29 to level at 1-1.
Mauresmo broke twice more but just when she seemed to have the match sewn up, Santangelo began to put up a fight.
She had two break points as Mauresmo served for the match at 5-2. Santangelo was unable to convert either, however, and another ace from Mauresmo put her safely through to the last 16.
